Midspan connector

ABSTRACT

A midspan connector for easily mechanically and electrically connecting one or more tap lines to one phase of a system so that a remaining phase need not be connected but without manipulation assumes a predetermined position separated from the connected phase with the tap conductors in the same plane and parallel to the run conductor.

United States Patent Inventor Wayne C. Wiechmann Wheaten, I11. Appl. No. 2,998 Filed Jan. 15, 1970 Patented Dec. 21, 1971 Assignee Fargo Mtg. Company, Inc.

Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

MIDSPAN CONNECTOR 7 Claims, 7 Drawlng Figs.

U.S.Cl 339/116 C, 174/92, 339/265 F, 339/272 R int. Cl H01r 7/14 Field of Search 339/175 148,265,272, 242,116, 243,157; 174/71, 72, 92, 138.4

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,843,389 2/1932 Fischer 339/157 X 2,894,056 7/1959 Bogese 174/92 2,935,550 5/1960 Gunthel, Jr... 174/92 X 3,084,305 4/1963 Duenke 339/272 X 3,112,148 11/1963 Wochner 339/116C Primary Examiner-Richard E. Moore Attorney-Kane, Dalsimer, Kane, Sullivan and Kurucz ABSTRACT: A midspan connector for easily mechanically and electrically connecting one or more tap lines to one phase of a system so that a remaining phase need not be connected but without manipulation assumes a predetermined position separated from the connected phase with the tap conductors in the same plane and parallel to the run conductor.

PATENTED m2] 197:

SHEET 1 OF 4 F E-Ii I INVENTOR WAYNE c4 WIE CHMANN BY flmmw, 5 My ATTORNEYS PATEN'TEU DECZI l9?! sum 2 BF 4' F/GZ l ll h INV'ENTOR WAYNE c. wxecnmmn ATTOR N PATENIEUuzcm um saw u or a alszsleos lNVENTOR WAYNE C. WIECHMANN zawikds/w ATTORNEYS Z MIDSPAN CONNECTOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the utilization of electrical transmission lines it frequently becomes necessary to tap into one phase of a two-phase system in midspan. Various type connectors or taps have been designed for this purpose. For the most part these have been cumbersome and difficult to use. The lineman has had to go through many time consuming and frequently dangerous manipulations with the phase which is not being tapped as well as with the tap line and phase being tapped. Frequently upon completion of the tap, additional time and special care must be taken to insure that the untapped phase is properly positioned and sufficiently spaced from the tapped phase.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A midspan connector for connecting a tap line to one phase of a system, including in combination a body formed of an electrically conducting material, a first surface of the body, a channel formed in the first surface to receive a noninsulated section of the first phase, a top pad, first clamp means for connecting the top pad to the body at the first surface with the top pad in contact with the first phase and clamping it within the channel in the body, a recess formed in the body to receive an end of the tap line, second clamp means for fastening the tap line within the recess and a second surface of the body spaced from the first surface and this second surface being concave and against which the second phase will rest due to tension in the phases in space relation with the first phase and with the body between the phases.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a midspan connector constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention with the housing removed;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the midspan connector shown in FIG. 1 within the housing and the cover of the housing open;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the midspan connector shown in FIG. I within the housing and the cover of the housing open similar to FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partially sectional view taken along the line 4-4 in the direction of the arrows in FIG. 2 with the cover closed showing the run conductor in position;

FIG. 5 is a partially sectional view taken along the line 5-5 in the direction of the arrows in FIG. 2 with the cover closed showing two tap lines in position,

FIG. 6 is a partially sectional view taken along the line 66 in the direction of the arrows in FIG. 5 showing a run conductor, additional phase and neutral in position; and

FIG. 7 is a partially sectional view taken along the line 77 in the direction of the arrows in FIG. 5 similar to the view in FIG. 6 but also showing two tap lines in position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The run conductor or phase to be tapped is indicated in the FIGS. by the numeral 10 and it is one phase of a multiphase system in which two phases are present at the point where the tap is to be made. The second or additional phase is indicated by the numeral 11, as seen best in FIGS. 6 and 7 and a neutral or messenger is indicated by the numeral 12. Typical applications would be with triplex cable, parallel lay or quadruplex cable.

The connector is indicated generally by the numeral 13 and includes a body 14, top pad 15, pressure pads 16, 17, 18 and 19, respectively, within recesses 20, 21, 22 and 23 formed in the body 14, first clamping means for the top pad consisting of hex washer head bolts 24 and 25 and second clamping means for the pressure pads consisting respectively of sctscrews 26, 27, 28 and 29. All of these parts being formed of a suitable electrically conducting material such as aluminum.

Body 14 has a first surface 30 with a channel 31 formed therein to receive a noninsulated or "skinned" section 32 of run conductor 10. Top pad 15 has an elongated portion provided with a notch 33 extending its length which in the assembled condition of the connector embraces the upper portion of section 32 within channel 31.

Two flanges extend perpendicularly from the elongated portion of the top pad on opposite sides and slots 34 and 35 are formed therein to allow bolts 24 and 25 respectively to pass therethrough to be received within threaded slots 36 and 37 formed in body 14 so that the top pad can be drawn to the first surface 30 and clamp the run conductor 10 withinchannel 31.

Each of the pressure pads is identical to pressure pad 17 shown in perspective in FIG. 1 and has a lower surface with a notch similar to notch 33. The notch in the lower surface of pressure pad 17 in FIG. I is indicated by the numeral 38. Two undercut upwardly extending sidewalls 39 and 40 are provided on pad 17 to receive the threaded end of setscrew 27 which is threaded within threaded slot 41 formed in body 14 and intercepting recess 21. The pressure pad 17 can thereby be lowered within recess 21 to clamp the end of tap line 42 within or raised to release it.

Likewise such side walls are provided on pressure pads 16, 18 and 19 to respectively receive the ends of screws 26, 28 and 29 which are respectively threaded within threaded slots 43, 44 and 45 to clamp within the respective recesses tap lines 46, 47 and 48.

The body 14 is formed with a second surface 49 spaced from the first surface 30. The first surface 30 is seen in FIG. 1 as the upper surface of body 14 and the second surface 49 is the lower surface of body 14. The second surface 49 is concave for purpose which will be explained below.

A housing comprising housing bottom portion 50 and housing cover 51 formed of polypropylene or other suitable material encloses the connector. The housing is formed to conform to the configuration of the connector and is provided with notches so that the run conductor and tap lines can enter the connector as desired.

The connector is formed with shoulders 52, 53, 54 and 55 as seen best in FIG. 2 and the housing is provided with inwardly directed projections 56, 57, 58 and 59 which respectively overlie the shoulders so that the lineman can work with the connector within the housing with the cover 51 open as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and the housing bottom portion 50 will remain attached to the body 14 of the connector.

The cover 51 is hingedly connected to the housing bottom portion 50 at hinges 60 and 61 and a closing or locking tab 62 is provided on cover 51 to cooperate with locking projection 63 on the bottom portion 50.

In order to use the midspan connector, the lineman opens the cover 51 allowing it to remain attached to the bottom portion 50 and works with a grasp on the parts of the connector so that the housing bottom portion remains attached thereto by means of the projections or tabs 56, 57, 58 and 59. The lineman strips or skins a portion of insulation from the phase run conductor 10 to bare section 32 and places the top pad in position with section 32 within channel 31. The tightening of bolts 24 and 25 brings the top pad toward the upper surface 30 of body 14, clamping conductor 10 within channel 31 and within notch 33. The tap line such as tap line 42 can then be inserted within recess 21 and screw 27 turned, forcing pressure pad 17 against the exposed end of the tap line 42, clamping it into position within the recess. A firm electrical and mechanical contact has been made between the tap line and the run conductor by means of the connector and the manipulations have been accomplished with the housing in position so that after completion of the manipulations, the cover of the housing can be closed. The tap line, under certain conditions, might be inserted and fastened into position in a connector prior to applying the connector to the run conductor if the lineman so desires. Also, additional taps, such as tap 48 as shown in FIG. 5 can be made with the connector in the same manner as tap 42 has been accomplished.

ln FIGS. 6 and 7 the run conductor 10 is shown in position within recess 31 and the second or additional phase conductor 11 and the neutral or messenger 12 are shown spaced from the run conductor 10 and embracing the concave surface of the connector adjacent the housing. The second phase and the messenger assume this position due to the tension in the phases and the messenger and the second phase is then in space relation with the first phase and with the body 14 between them. Accordingly, the remaining phase, or phase 11, need not be connected but without manipulation assumes the predetermined position separated from the connected line.

lclaim:

l. The combination of a midspan connector, first and second spans of a two span system and a tap line for one of said spans, a body of said connector formed of electrically conducting material, a noninsulated section of said first span,

' a channel formed in said body within which said noninsulated section is disposed, first clamp means connecting said nonin' sulated section in said channel, a noninsulated end of said tap line, a recess formed in said body within which said noninsulated end is disposed, second clamp means connecting said noninsulated end in said recess, a concave surface of said body spaced from said channel and parallel thereto, said second span abutting said concave surface in spaced relation with said first span and with said body between said spans and said spans being under tension maintaining the relative positions of said spans and said connector.

2. The combination in accordance with claim 1 in which said first clamp means includes a top pad overlying said channel and screw means connecting said top pad to said body with said top pad in contact with said noninsulated section and clamping it within said channel, said top pad being formed of an electrically conducting material.

3. The combination in accordance with claim I in which said second clamp means includes a pressure pad formed of an electrically conducting material within said recess, screw means engaging said body and providing means for moving said pressure pad within said recess against said tap line to clamp it within said recess.

4. The combination in accordance with claim 2 in which said top pad has an elongated portion formed with a notch throughout its length facing said channel.

5. The combination in accordance with claim 3 in which said pressure pad is provided with upwardly extending undercut walls providing cooperating screw means to receive and hold the end of said screw.

6. The combination in accordance with claim 1 in which a housing is provided formed to the configuration of said connector with notches for entry of said first span and said tap line and having a housing cover portion and a housing bottom portion, said connector being formed with shoulders and said housing bottom portion being formed with inwardly directed projections overlying and embracing said shoulders to maintain said housing bottom portion on said connector and said housing bottom portion and said housing cover portion being hingedly connected.

7. The combination of a midspan connector, first and second spans of a two span system, first and second tap lines, a body of said connector formed of electrically conducting material, a noninsulated section of said first span, a channel formed in said body within which said noninsulated section is disposed, first clamp means connecting said noninsulated section in said channel, a first noninsulated end of said first tap line, a second noninsulated end of said second tap line, first and second recesses formed in said body in the same plane and parallel to said channel to respectively receive said first and second noninsulated ends, second and third clamp means respectively connecting said noninsulated ends in said first and second recesses, a concave surface of said body spaced from said channel and parallel thereto, said second span abutting said concave surface in spaced relation with said first span and with said body between said spans and said spans being under tension maintaining the relative positions of said spans and said connector. 

1. The combination of a midspan connector, first and second spans of a two span system and a tap line for one of said spans, a body of said connector formed of electrically conducting material, a noninsulated section of said first span, a channel formed in said body within which said noninsulated section is disposed, first clamp means connecting said noninsulated section in said channel, a noninsulated end of said tap line, a recess formed in said body within which said noninsulated end is disposed, second clamp means connecting said noninsulated end in said recess, a concave surface of said body spaced from said channel and parallel thereto, said second span abutting said concave surface in spaced relation with said first span and with said body between said spans and said spans being under tension maintaining the relative positions of said spans and said connector.
 2. The combination in accordance with claim 1 in which said first clamp means includes a top pad overlying said channel and screw means connecting said top pad to said body with said top pad in contact with said noninsulated section and clamping it within said channel, said top pad being formed of an electrically conducting material.
 3. The combination in accordance with claim 1 in which said second clamp means includes a pressure pad formed of an electrically conducting material within said recess, screw means engaging said body and providing means for moving said pressure pad within said recess against said tap line to clamp it within said recess.
 4. The combination in accordance with claim 2 in which said top pad has an elongated portion formed with a notch throughout its length facing said channel.
 5. The combination in accordance with claim 3 in which said pressure pad is provided with upwardly extending undercut walls providing cooperating screw means to receive and hold the end of said screw.
 6. The combination in accordance with claim 1 in which a housing is provided formed to the configuration of said connector with notches for entry of said first span and said tap line and having a housing cover portion and a housing bottom portion, said connector being formed with shoulders and said housing bottom portion being formed with inwardly directed projections overlying and embracing said shoulders to maintain said housing bottom portion on said connector and said housing bottom portion and said housing cover portion being hingedly connected.
 7. The combination of a midspan connector, first and second spans of a two span system, first and second tap lines, a body of said connector formed of electrically conducting material, a noninsulated section of said first span, a channel formed in said body within which said noninsulated section is disposed, first clamp means connecting said noninsulated section in said channel, a first noninsulated end of said first tap line, a second noninsulated end of said second tap line, first and second recesses formed in said body in the same plane and parallel to said channel to respectively receive said first and second noninsulated ends, second and third clamp means respectively connecting said noninsulated ends in said first and second recesses, a concave surface of said body spaced from said channel and parallel thereto, said second span abutting said concave surface in spaced relation with said first span and with said body between said spans and said spans being under tension maintaining the relative positions of said spans and said connector. 